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6 News AIR RCEF July 13, 2017 The battle back from the bottom FLGOFF Graham Orams A SERIES of events on deployment took LAC Chris Sarquis from the top of his game to some cruel lows. The No. 33 Squadron supplier LAC Chris Sarquis wants others to know there is a way back from depression and post traumatic stress disorder. HELP IS AT HAND  Joint Health Command promotes a culture of preventative health and encourages all members to seek help early to allow better health outcomes for themselves and their families  Information about mental health services available for ADF personnel can be found at www.defence. gov.au/Health/HealthPortal  The Defence All-Hours Support Line is a 24/7 confidential telephone service for ADF members and their families: 1800 628 036  The Defence Family Helpline is available 24/7: 1800 624 608  Crisis support and confidential counselling is available by calling the Veterans’ and Veterans’ Families Counselling Service:1800 011 046 Photo: SGT Kirk Peacock suffered from depression, anxiety and adjustment disorder following his first deployment to the Middle East in 2015. Three separate events during the deployment had a profound effect on LAC Sarquis. These included a security incident that left him shaken; the suicide of a close mate back in Australia; and an extreme allergic reaction that landed him in hospital in a serious condition. “I remember lying there on the hospital bed and thinking all I wanted was to see my family again,” LAC Sarquis said. “My daughter was only fourmonths-old at the time and I thought I was going to die.” On returning to Australia at the end of the deployment, LAC Sarquis soon noticed things weren’t as they should have been. “About two weeks after get- ting back, I was driving off base and pulled over with overwhelming thoughts and emotions,” he said. “The most frustrating thing was trying to explain how I was feeling to people who had never been through this themselves. “It doesn’t matter wheth- er you serve in Afghanistan or AMAB (Al Minhad Air Base), the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are the same.” Having watched his father – a retired police officer – experience the trauma of PTSD, LAC Sarquis referred himself to counselling. He said the counselling, along with the support of his wife, played a major part in his ongoing recovery. So good was his recovery, LAC Sarquis volunteered to redeploy 12 months later – and that led to a proud achievement. In January, he received a Commander Joint Task Force Bronze Commendation for his commitment to his work on deployment. The commendation said he had “displayed professionalism, logistics mastery and a work ethic of the highest order”. “I want people to know that you can be on the bottom, but you can turn it around and re-create yourself,” LAC Sarquis said. “I feel I am better now than I’ve ever been.” In the future, LAC Sarquis is hoping to move into a position as a military skills instructor to help positively shape the Air Force’s future airmen. Let’s Talk DHOAS Home Loans Our range of DHOAS Home Loans are specially tailored to those in the Australian Defence Forces - with great rates and flexibility. For more information about our DHOAS Loans call 1800 739 347, visit us in branch or online at www.australianmilitarybank.com.au/dhoas. australianmilitarybank.com.au Subject to terms and conditions. Fees, interest, charges and lending criteria apply and are available at the time of application. Australian Military Bank Ltd ABN 48 087 649 741 AFSL and Australian credit licence number 237 988.